Hunsaker takes one-stroke lead in first round of city tournament

HENDERSON, Ky. - The defending champ took a first-round tumble, a former champion leads the field and a Union County high schooler is hot on his heels.

Those were the highlights (and lowlight) at Municipal Golf Course where the Jace Bugg Men's City Championship kicked off Saturday.

Going 3-under on the back nine, 2008 winner Matt Hunsaker grabbed first place with a 4-under 62. Young Duncan McCormick sits one stroke back in second and Ben Simpson is third at 65. Winner of last year's tournament, veteran Mike Rickard shot a 7-over par 71, nine strokes off the lead.

"I just didn't get comfortable," Rickard said. "I had a couple bad breaks but brought them on myself. Thank goodness it's the first day, not the last."

Hunsaker started out poorly himself, sitting 3-over after three holes. How did he turn things around? "Essentially I settled down and hit better shots," Hunsaker said. "I was very pleased at the end of the day."

He points to the seventh hole as the turning point. Holding a sand wedge on the tee of the short par 3, Hunsaker hit the green but wasn't close to the hole. Then he sank a 30-foot putt for birdie. After that he made birdies on holes 8, 10 and 12.

He still couldn't shake McCormick, a senior-to-be at Union County High School. Recording an eagle on No. 9, the youngster moved into the tournament lead at the halfway point and opened the back nine with two quick birdies. He maintained a small edge down the stretch, then lost it with bogeys on 17 and 18.

"He played well all day but had some bad breaks coming in," Hunsaker said. "He's got a lot of talent, that's for sure."

Rounding out the top five were Simpson, Chris Skaggs (66) and Jason Evans (66). Jason Bauer leads the first flight with a 64 and Tom Ashby's 71 was good enough for first in the second flight.

Tournament action continues today at Audubon Golf Course with the leaders teeing off at 7 a.m. The final round will be played July 31 at Henderson Country Club.